Patents by Inventor Stephen B. Smith

Stephen B. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Engine catalyst diagnostics
    Patent number: 8800356
    Abstract: Embodiments for predicting catalyst function are disclosed. One example embodiment includes applying a set of parameter readings for a given sample to a support vector machine to generate a classification output, recording a plurality of classification outputs for a plurality of successive samples over a first duration, and indicating catalyst degradation if a threshold percentage of the classification outputs indicates degraded catalyst performance. In this way, catalyst degradation may be indicated using a simplified model that does not require extensive calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, Pankaj Kumar, Adam Banker
  • GEOMETRICS FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE OF CONNECTOR FOOTPRINTS
    Publication number: 20140182891
    Abstract: In accordance with the various embodiments disclosed herein, an improved electrical connector footprint, such as on printed circuit boards (PCB), is described. For example, antipads can have a variety of sizes and pairs of differential signal traces can define centerlines that are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Madhumitha Rengarajan, Jan De Geest, Stephen B. Smith, Stefaan Hendrik Jozef Sercu
  • ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INCLUDING ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT ELEMENTS
    Publication number: 20140187089
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plurality of leadframe assembly, each having a leadframe housing and a plurality of contacts carried by the leadframe housing. The electrical connector includes at least one unassigned electrical contact that includes a resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Buck, Dana J. Bergey, Stephen B. Smith
  • EXHAUST HUMIDITY SENSOR
    Publication number: 20140156172
    Abstract: Embodiments for adjusting engine operating parameters based on output from an exhaust humidity sensor are provided. One example method for an engine comprises based on a dew point of exhaust gas, adjusting an exhaust gas sensor heater configured to heat an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine, the dew point based on output from a humidity sensor disposed in the exhaust passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Jacobus Hendrik Visser, Stephen B. Smith, Timothy Clark
  • Electrical connector with ground plates
    Patent number: 8734187
    Abstract: An electrical connector and leadframe assemblies for use therein are provided. Each leadframe assembly can be constructed with at least one electric contact having a ground plate. A first type of leadframe assembly includes an uppermost electrical contact defining a ground plate. A second type of leadframe assembly includes a lowermost electrical contact defining a ground plate. The ground plates can reduce the level of crosstalk exhibited by the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: FCI, FCI Americas Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jan De Geest, Stefaan Hendrik Jozef Sercu, Stephen B. Smith, Douglas M. Johnescu, Jonathan E. Buck
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140123631
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen B. Smith, Michael James Uhrich, James Michael Kerns, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Hydrocarbon retaining and purging system
    Patent number: 8707683
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system and an emission control device coupled to an engine exhaust, the engine exhaust comprising a venturi. One example method comprises, during a storing condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi without generating a venturi action, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, while bypassing the emission control device, to store hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon retaining system, and during a purging condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi while generating venturi action, then to the emission control device, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, to purge stored hydrocarbons, wherein a flow of purged hydrocarbons is drawn back to the venturi via venturi action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, James Michael Kerns, Shane Elwart, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • NOX CONTROL DURING CYLINDER DEACTIVATION
    Publication number: 20140039778
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine exhaust emissions while enabling exhaust catalyst regeneration following an engine lean event. Prior to a VDE event, or prior to an engine idle-stop, ammonia is produced and stored on an exhaust underbody SCR catalyst. Then, during the engine restart after the VDE mode or the idle-stop, the stored ammonia is used to treat exhaust NOx species while an upstream exhaust underbody three-way catalyst is regenerated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Michael Kerns, Joseph Robert Theis, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Michael James Uhrich, Adam Nathan Banker, Stephen B. Smith
  • VARIABLE VALVE TIMING FOR CYLINDER DEACTIVATION
    Publication number: 20140032083
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting cylinder valve timings to enable a group of cylinders to operate and combust while another group of cylinders on a second are selectively deactivated. Valve timing may be adjusted to allow flow of air through the inactive cylinders to be reduced, lowering catalyst regeneration requirements upon reactivation. The valve timing may alternatively be adjusted to enable exhaust gas to be recirculated to the active cylinders via the inactive cylinders, providing cooled EGR benefits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Michael Kerns, Stephen B. Smith, Adam Nathan Banker, Michael James Uhrich
  • VARIABLE VALVE TIMING FOR EGR CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140026872
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting cylinder valve timings to enable a group of cylinders to operate and combust while another group of cylinders on a second are selectively deactivated. Valve timing may be adjusted to allow flow of air through the inactive cylinders to be reduced, lowering catalyst regeneration requirements upon reactivation. The valve timing may alternatively be adjusted to enable exhaust gas to be recirculated to the active cylinders via the inactive cylinders, providing cooled EGR benefits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Michael Kerns, Stephen B. Smith, Adam Nathan Banker, Michael James Uhrich
  • Methods and systems for variable displacement engine control
    Patent number: 8631646
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen B. Smith, Michael James Uhrich, James Michael Kerns, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Dual impedance electrical connector
    Patent number: 8608510
    Abstract: An electrical power connector comprises a housing having a mounting interface and a mating interface. The mating interface defines a plurality of receptacles spaced apart in more than one direction. A plurality of electrical contacts is supported by the housing. These electrical contacts define respective mounting ends that are configured to electrically connect with an electrical component at the mounting interface, and opposed mating ends. At least one of the electrical contacts defines a common contact beam disposed within at least a select one of the receptacles. This common contact beam is configured to be electrically connected to a pair of adjacent electrical contacts of a mated electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Buck, Stephen B. Smith
  • Methods and systems for variable displacement engine control
    Patent number: 8607544
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Adam Nathan Banker, James Michael Kerns, Stephen B. Smith
  • ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20130273781
    Abstract: Electrical connector assemblies are provided that include electrical connectors having electrical contacts that have receptacle mating ends are provided. The connector housings of the provided electrical connectors include alignment members that are capable of performing staged alignment of components of the electrical connector assemblies. The provided electrical connector assemblies and the electrical connectors provided therein are capable of operating at a data transfer rate of forty gigabits per second with worst case multi-active cross talk that does not exceed a range of about two percent to about four percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Buck, Stuart C. Stoner, Steven E. Minich, Douglas M. Johnescu, Stephen B. Smith, Arkady Y. Zerebilov, Deborah A. Ingram, Hung-Wei Lord, Robert Douglas Fulton
  • LOW DIMENSIONAL THREE WAY CATALYST MODEL FOR CONTROL AND DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20130245919
    Abstract: Embodiments for an engine exhaust are provided. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a fuel injection amount based on a fractional oxidation state of a catalyst, the fractional oxidation state based on reaction rates of a plurality of exhaust gas species throughout a catalyst longitudinal axis and a set of axially-averaged mass balance and energy balance equations for a fluid phase and a washcoat of the catalyst. In this way, a simplified catalyst model may be used to control air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pankaj Kumar, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith
  • METHOD FOR INJECTING FUEL
    Publication number: 20130191008
    Abstract: Embodiments for adjusting fuel injection are provided. In one example, a method comprises adjusting fuel injection based on fuel concentration in an engine intake manifold, and during idle and when EGR is disabled, adjusting fuel injection based on the fuel concentration and a fuel pushback amount. In this way, fuel injection may be adjusted based on fuel concentration in the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, James Michael Kerns, Stephen B. Smith, Imad Hassan Makki
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20130110376
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the automatic shutdown of an idling vehicle engine. When the vehicle is parked in an enclosed space, the idling engine may be automatically shutdown, while when the vehicle is parked in an open space, the automatic shutdown may be delayed based on an ambient temperature. In this way, the vehicle cabin may be maintained at a temperature that provides enhanced driver comfort while allowing wasteful engine idling to be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gophichandra Surnilla, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Mathew Alan Boesch, Stephen B. Smith
  • ENGINE CATALYST DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20130078725
    Abstract: Embodiments for predicting catalyst function are disclosed. One example embodiment includes applying a set of parameter readings for a given sample to a support vector machine to generate a classification output, recording a plurality of classification outputs for a plurality of successive samples over a first duration, and indicating catalyst degradation if a threshold percentage of the classification outputs indicates degraded catalyst performance. In this way, catalyst degradation may be indicated using a simplified model that does not require extensive calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, Pankaj Kumar, Adam Banker
  • Right-angle electrical connector housing
    Patent number: D712842
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Buck, Stuart C. Stoner, Steven E. Minich, Douglas M. Johnescu, Stephen B. Smith
  • Vertical electrical connector housing
    Patent number: D712843
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Buck, Stuart C. Stoner, Steven E. Minich, Douglas M. Johnescu, Stephen B. Smith